DDB China Group elevates Matthew Cheng to lead ‘made-for-China’ management team

DDB has promoted Managing Director Matthew Cheng to CEO of DDB China Group. He will succeed the long-serving CEO Danny Mok who will be returning to Hong Kong.

As part of the agency’s succession plan, Cheng (pictured) has been given the leadership role for an integrated, digital-led, China-focused marketing agenda. Together with Chief Creative Officer Allen Lee and Chief Strategy Officer Laura Liang, they represent a vibrant and progressive made-for-China management team.

Over the past three years, Cheng has been instrumental in growing the agency’s local and multinational accounts in Amway, Mars Wrigley, H3C and Unicloud. Named as Campaign ’40 under 40’ in 2018, Cheng has shown remarkable business and team leadership to grow the clients’ businesses across DDB offices in Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou.

“Danny Mok has done a great job assembling and building an enterprising team for DDB China,” said David Tang, CEO of DDB Asia. “In Matthew, he has groomed a ‘right-hand’ agency leader, supported by an exceptional team with a China growth focus. We’re passionate about growth in China and this team is made for great work.”

Since joining DDB in China three years ago, Cheng has transformed the agency and client’s businesses with his dedication, honesty and high-energy style. Having tackled account and client management roles at BBDO, Leo Burnett and Grey, he thrives on the challenges for fast-paced growth in China. An energetic and astute team leader, and a black-belt martial arts practitioner, he has led impressive results for all his key clients.

Cheng said, “I am inspired by the culture of dedication at DDB, where we co-create with clients to do great work. This is a legacy of great trust placed upon me and my team, so I’m very honored and grateful. We’re a vibrant team in the prime of our lives and we want to harness our teaming and our passion to produce great work.”

Mok added, “I’m extremely proud of Matthew and the team. It has taken me three years to get the best and brightest of talent to come together. With Allen Lee and Laura Liang together, we now have a ‘China best talent’ team. It’s been more than ten years for me working in China but my heart will always be with this team.”